July 18, 2012, 2:00PM

Highways are busy, beaches are crowded-it must be summer in Michigan. Want to try some place different this summer? There is a lot of fun offered at area farm markets, from those in town to ones located right on farms. Horse-drawn rides through orchards, picking your own fruit right off the vine (you cannot get any fresher than that!), wine tasting, petting zoos...the options are endless. Click here for more farm-related fun! Full story »

July 02, 2012, 10:00AM

I distinctly remember having, for the first time, my grandfather’s fresh-water salmon on the grill. He has since passed away, but an article printed many years ago in the Grand Rapids Press gave him a little recognition for his grilled-salmon achievement. Full story »

June 18, 2012, 2:00PM

With the eradication of the tart cherry crop due to early heat and harsh freezes, farmers will have to look other places to re-coop their lost income. This is by no means easy. Farmers are influenced by local zoning, government regulations, spray costs, labor costs, taxes and a whole slew of other mandates that require annual fees. We know that farming isn't for the faint of heart. Nor is it cheap. Click here to learn how farmers maintain their living after losses. Full story »

June 14, 2012, 11:36AM

Carter, who served as sheriff from 1990 to 2003, remembers the meals at the jails were at one time “wholesome” and even flavorful, he said. “They were wholesome meals. They were good, and sometimes, they cooked liver and onions and some of the inmates didn’t like that,” Carter said, laughing. “But the meals were very good. If we had meetings in the jail, we would stay in eat lunch there.” Full story »

June 11, 2012, 12:00PM

There’s nothing like walking into a shop full of unique cheeses and pastries, wines, olive oil and unique stemware. It makes you forget -- just for a moment -- that you're in West Michigan, and not roaming the streets of Tuscany. Full story »

June 09, 2012, 3:10PM

CITIZEN PATRIOT • NICK DENTAMARO Claire Patti, center, laughs as she tries the Sandhill Crane Winery's raspberry wine with a piece of chocolate during the Ella Sharp Art, Beer and Wine Festival Saturday. " I usually drink white wine's but this is really good," Patti said. "Especially with the chocolate." Full story »

May 30, 2012, 12:00PM

The ingredient that sets this enchilada apart from the typical enchilada is a teaspoon of thyme. It gave it a completely new taste to this, but it still had the Mexican seasoning and taste of an enchilada. Full story »

May 21, 2012, 12:10PM

My summer burger topped with BBQ sauce and guacamole and sharp cheddar, mushrooms sautéed in garlic cloves and red onion is my favorite kind of burger: Messy, tangy and full of mushrooms and onion. Full story »